Were _Anschar, a Story of the North_, a mere work of fiction, we should not
think of recording its appearance in our columns. But it has other claims
to our notice and the attention of our readers. Based on the life of
Anschar the monk of Corbey, by Rembert, his successor in the archiepiscopal
see of Hamburgh,--a biography which the writer of the work before us
describes as one of the most important documents we possess for the
elucidation of the early history, manners, and religion of the races of
Northern Europe,--Mr. King has produced a narrative of considerable
interest, abounding in curious pictures of the social condition of the
Swedish people at the close of the ninth century. But Mr. King's pleasing
story has also this additional merit, that while his learning and
scholarlike acquirements have enabled him to illustrate the early history,
religion, customs, and superstitions of the North in a most interesting and
instructive manner, he has so done this, as at the same time to throw much
curious light on many of our own old-world customs, popular observances,
and folk-lore.
Such of our clerical readers as may be anxious to introduce cheap maps into
the schools under their superintendence, will thank us for calling their
attention to the series of _Penny Maps_ (twopence each with the boundaries
coloured), now publishing by Messrs. Chapman and Hall. That they have been
constructed and engraved by Mr. J. W. Lowry, is a sufficient guarantee for
their accuracy.
We have received a copy of Mr. Walker's engraving from Mr. Doyle's picture
of _Caxton submitting his proof-sheet to John Esteney, Abbot of
Westminster, in 1477_. The subject--and what can be of greater interest to
us than the great event it commemorates, the vast social change it has
wrought--has been very ably treated by the artist, and very successfully
rendered by the engraver. The calm dignity of the patriotic mercer, Master
William Caxton, as he watches the countenance of the abbot, who is
examining with astonishment this first specimen of the new art, contrasts
well with the expression of pride exhibited by Earl Rivers at the success
of his protege, on whose shoulder he rests his hand with an air
half-patronizing, half-familiar, and with Wynkyn de Worde at the case
behind, constitute altogether a picture which tells its story well and
effectually, and furnishes a Caxton Memorial which will doubtless be very
acceptable to all those who remember, with the gratitude due to him, the
many precious volumes with which the learning of Caxton, no less than his
mechanical genius, enriched the literature of England.
Messrs. Sotheby and Wilkinson will sell on Monday next, and the two
following days, an interesting Collection of engraved British Portraits,
the property of the late Mr. Dodd, the author of the _Connoisseur's
Repertorium_. We may specify one lot as very interesting to lovers of
illustrated works, viz. a copy of Robert Smythe's _History of the Charter
House_, with two hundred and twenty-six sheets of prints illustrative of
the printed text.
We have received the following Catalogues:--Bernard Quaritch's (16. Castle
Street, Leicester Square) Catalogue, No. 20., of Books in European
Languages, Dialects, Classics, &c.; John Petheram's (94. High Holborn)
Catalogue, Part CXVII., No. 11 for 1850, of Old and New Books; John
Miller's (43. Chandos Street) Catalogue, No. 13. for 1850, of Books Old and
New.
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